Canadian educational institutes with coronavirus readiness plans can start accepting new study permit holders, as of October 20.
Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) are now able to accept international students irrespective of the date the study permit was obtained. DLIs are colleges, universities, and other educational institutions approved by the government to welcome international students.
Before, the only international students that could travel to Canada were those who held a valid study permit as of March 18, 2020, the date that Canada’s coronavirus travel restrictions took effect.
To be able to enter Canada as a student, you must meet these two requirements:
- You must have a valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit.
- You must be attending a designated learning institution (DLI) with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by its province or territory.
Your travel to Canada will be considered essential if you have all of the required documents and your DLI is on the approved list.
As a student, your travel to Canada won’t be considered essential if:
- your study program has been cancelled or suspended
- you’re entering Canada for any reason other than to study
In order to welcome new international students, DLIs needed to have a coronavirus readiness plan approved by their province or territory. Plans should describe how they manage the mandatory quarantine period for students, including arrangements for transportation to the student’s quarantine location.
The DLI list for reopening to international students by province is provided below.
International students can contact their school directly if they have questions about their readiness plans.
Only students who are going to approved DLIs are allowed to travel to Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says more institutions will be added to the list of approved DLIs. The IRCC webpage has a complete list of approved DLIs, and will update as more come available. Canada will also remove DLIs if they no longer meet their provincial or territorial public health requirements.
Students who are not going to an approved DLI will not be allowed to board their flight if they try to travel to Canada.
Family members of students may not travel to Canada before the student.